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Patriots & Ex-Pats

Writers Spotlight: Tim Tash

It was the end of a long day at the M3 Coffee Shoppe when Tim Tash ducked in for a quick go cuppa. He was talking on his cell trying to convince Red (Tash) he would be home shortly, but Red (M3) was not letting him get away so easily. She wanted some scoop on the trek through Haydon.

M3: The M3 Readers will instantly get that you and Red are attached, but give them a book jacket version of yourself.

TT: Tim Tash is a full-time cubicle dweller, the father of one daughter and three bonus kids, a lover of coffee, dogs, and gadgetry. In between his other pursuits, Tim is writing a fantasy novel set in the land of Haydon.

M3: I love the term bonus kids. I have about an half dozen of those. Tell us who you have to thank before I give you the cuppa.

M3: Should the M3 Readers be worried about this cubicle dwelling thing?

TT: No, it has no influenece on my work as writer.

M3: Good. I have a hard time picturing Warriors at desks with headsets and iPads. With a full time job and family, how do you find time to write? (Cell phone rings. No, I will not tell you her ring tone.)

Tim Tash

TT: I eat really fast on my lunch break and then type like crazy. (Whispers into cell phone.)

M3: You are going to insist on running out the door. I can chase you. You know that, right? Where did you get started in the publishing industry?

TT: I started at the bottom. With a set of short stories to test the waters, and based on the feedback continued to write the full length novel.

M3: Feedback is always good. Do you have any advice for newbies?

TT: Not yet, I still feel like a newbie myself.

M3: You rub elbows with some pretty hot people, your wife included. How do you feel about your colleagues in the book world?

TT: I enjoy reading what my colleagues write and learning from them along the way.

M3: One of the things a lot of (non-Indie) writers do is go on hiatus. Have you learned that?

TT: No. Who has time? I have several writing projects I’m working on, my family, and a full-time job.

M3: Writing sounds like another bonus kid. Let’s talk about your work. What makes Haydon close to your heart?

TT: I have to say it is the characters in the story. They allow me to explore this world, at times thier stories almost write themselves.

M3: That is the best way to love your work. What is in the hopper at the moment?

TT: A trilogy based in the Kingdom of Haydon, about the same characters as the Tales of Haydon collection. The children in “Tales” will be adults in the trilogy, though.

M3: I like when series move through time. What is it about Haydon which makes it different from the scads of others in the genre?

Tales of Haydon

TT: It wasn’t written for the market. Tales of Haydon is a collection of short stories that I had already written, just to get to know the characters. They were never meant to see the light of day, so they are a kind of “pure” creativity. Not about making money, at all.

M3: Writing for its own sake always produces the best story lines, settings and characters. Tell me a secret you may not want me to share with the M3 Readers.

TT: That I’m really from Alpha Centauri, sent here to plant the seeds of malcontent through the written word to prepare the population for our eventual conquest. Or… I have a huge soft spot for animals, and if an animal gets hurt in a movie it upsets me. The Warhorse movie trailer brings me to tears every time I see it. I don’t think I’ll ever see that movie, even though it looks good.

M3: I will probably keep the alien thing to myself, I am still convincing everyone we are all just abductees. Let’s talk shop a few moments. (Cell phone rings. Different ring tone.) No, do not answer that, yet. Have a bone to pick with the traditional publishing industry?

TT: Not really. The industry is still trying to hold on to old market values and traditions as the world changes around them. (Texting feverishly.)

M3: Sad truth. Have you had any victories over the industry lately?

TT: Not yet, but stay tuned.

M3: That would not surprise me one iota. Being Indie, I know you are beating the social media bushes. How important is your own marketing for your book?

TT: Very important, it is a way to connect with a audience.

M3: The personal is always best. (Cell phone rings again.) Okay, I get it. You absolutely have to go. One last thing: Tell the M3 Readers in 15 words or less why they should buy Tales of Haydon.

TT: Because when you give feedback, I listen! Readers help me improve my Haydon books.

M3: Excellent reason. Get home before she sends the search dogs and the bonus children to find you!

Red

I will bounce over to another recommendation of yours soon enough, I am never disappointed. Wonderful interview! Having bonus children myself I will have to tell them they have been promoted from ‘Gifts from Satan’ to Bonus’s; they will appreciate it I am sure.valentinelogar recently posted..Hope in Peaches